satellite radio: sound quality?

jajjguy · 22nd October 2004

I've been thinking about getting satellite radio in my car, either XM or Sirius. It's very attractive, but how does it sound? Is it like a low bitrate webstream, or more like a cd? Any compression artifacts noticable? Dynamic range reasonable?

Thanks.

heinz · 22nd October 2004

I think Sirius uses variable-bit 128kps data stream.

Bob Olhsson · 22nd October 2004

I have XM. There isn't a lot above 10k but the programming is great and it isn't as smashed as typical contemporary FM. I wish it were full bandwidth mono but it's better than nothing.

jajjguy · 24th October 2004

Sounds like a tradeoff, though maybe a worthwhile one. Thanks.

zemlin · 25th October 2004

I've had satellite radio in a few rental cars. Convinced me that I don't want it. Reception was often poor, and compression artifacts were severe.

I'm not a "golden ears" type either. I listen to MP3 and WMA files plenty - yeah, I can hear the compression, but I don't mind. Satellite radio was (IMHO) pretty bad.

OLD BANANAS · 20th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by zemlin

I've had satellite radio in a few rental cars. Convinced me that I don't want it. Reception was often poor, and compression artifacts were severe.

I'm not a "golden ears" type either. I listen to MP3 and WMA files plenty - yeah, I can hear the compression, but I don't mind. Satellite radio was (IMHO) pretty bad.

i was not impressed with my friends sirius radio in his car. He has a great stereo, but when sirius was on, all i could here was the artifacts

thedoner · 20th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by heinz

I think Sirius uses variable-bit 128kps data stream.

That sounds about right. There are plenty of audible artifacts and the fidelity isn't stellar. The content is great though, I've been turned on to many cool new artists through listening to Sirius

Dan Kennedy · 20th March 2008

I have XM, it's really variable across the channels, some I can stand, others drive me nuts.

What I really hate is all the artifacts on the 40's and blues channels, it's nice to hear the good old stuff, and it doesn't have to be real wide frequency-wise, but do they have to process it with noise reduction and crap within an inch of it's life? It chirps and swirls and rings, I'd sure rather hear some ticks and pops and white noise instead.

As others have said, the content makes up for most of the delivery limitations

SeanBlack · 20th March 2008

My brother has XM in his car and I love the programming but hate the sound. Like a bad MP3 at times.

K.C. · 22nd March 2008

Well it's all in the gear and THAT should come as no surprise to anyone here. The compact cheese-ball receivers and car receivers suck.

Start with a receiver that weighs more than a sandwich: XRt12 Reference Tuner Product Page : Reference XM Satellite Radio Home Tuner : Polk Audio

Take the digital out into a Benchmark DAC-1 passively (no preamp) running a Music Reference RM-9, or comparable amp, and then your choice of good speakers. In my case Paradigm signatures, they sound great. I use S3As in my studio.

You end up with sound quality that makes people stop and ask how you found time for the cool mix tape. Then you explain how gear is everything and it's actually satellite radio.

billylums · 23rd April 2008

I have Sirius and I LOVE the progamming, but yes, the quality sounds like an mp3. Not bad sounding, but if you use your ears for a living, the are well tuned to hear imperfections.

Reception is a pain. You loose signal under bridges, etc. and there are just plain dead spots.

My biggest problem yet though, is the quality of the equipment. IT SUCKS. It constantly breaks, the have replaced it 4 times within the past 2 1/2 years. I am in fact waiting for a replacement right now (over 2 weeks now).

But...I love the programming!!!

22nd October 2004	#1
jajjguy Gear addict Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Posts: 364 Thread Starter	satellite radio: sound quality? I've been thinking about getting satellite radio in my car, either XM or Sirius. It's very attractive, but how does it sound? Is it like a low bitrate webstream, or more like a cd? Any compression artifacts noticable? Dynamic range reasonable? Thanks. __________________ cellist, recordist, acoustics geek

22nd October 2004	#3
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 10,878	I have XM. There isn't a lot above 10k but the programming is great and it isn't as smashed as typical contemporary FM. I wish it were full bandwidth mono but it's better than nothing. __________________ Bob's room 615 562-4346 Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Music Industry 2.0 Interview

25th October 2004	#5
zemlin Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 656	I've had satellite radio in a few rental cars. Convinced me that I don't want it. Reception was often poor, and compression artifacts were severe. I'm not a "golden ears" type either. I listen to MP3 and WMA files plenty - yeah, I can hear the compression, but I don't mind. Satellite radio was (IMHO) pretty bad. __________________ Karl Zemlin - www.sonicartistry.net I couldn't pick a pocket in a pile of dirty clothes - Chris Smither

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22nd October 2004	#2
heinz Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2003 Location: chicago Posts: 1,025	I think Sirius uses variable-bit 128kps data stream.

24th October 2004	#4
jajjguy Gear addict Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Posts: 364 Thread Starter	Sounds like a tradeoff, though maybe a worthwhile one. Thanks.

20th March 2008	#8
Dan Kennedy Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Inver Grove MN Posts: 505	I have XM, it's really variable across the channels, some I can stand, others drive me nuts. What I really hate is all the artifacts on the 40's and blues channels, it's nice to hear the good old stuff, and it doesn't have to be real wide frequency-wise, but do they have to process it with noise reduction and crap within an inch of it's life? It chirps and swirls and rings, I'd sure rather hear some ticks and pops and white noise instead. As others have said, the content makes up for most of the delivery limitations

20th March 2008	#9
SeanBlack Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Delta, BC Posts: 250	My brother has XM in his car and I love the programming but hate the sound. Like a bad MP3 at times.

22nd March 2008	#10
K.C. Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 162	Well it's all in the gear and THAT should come as no surprise to anyone here. The compact cheese-ball receivers and car receivers suck. Start with a receiver that weighs more than a sandwich: XRt12 Reference Tuner Product Page : Reference XM Satellite Radio Home Tuner : Polk Audio Take the digital out into a Benchmark DAC-1 passively (no preamp) running a Music Reference RM-9, or comparable amp, and then your choice of good speakers. In my case Paradigm signatures, they sound great. I use S3As in my studio. You end up with sound quality that makes people stop and ask how you found time for the cool mix tape. Then you explain how gear is everything and it's actually satellite radio.

23rd April 2008	#11
billylums Gear interested Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3	I have Sirius and I LOVE the progamming, but yes, the quality sounds like an mp3. Not bad sounding, but if you use your ears for a living, the are well tuned to hear imperfections. Reception is a pain. You loose signal under bridges, etc. and there are just plain dead spots. My biggest problem yet though, is the quality of the equipment. IT SUCKS. It constantly breaks, the have replaced it 4 times within the past 2 1/2 years. I am in fact waiting for a replacement right now (over 2 weeks now). But...I love the programming!!!